Pharmacy Technician, Certificate of Completion

The program is designed to prepare students for careers as pharmacy technicians in hospital, retail, mail-order pharmacies and other pharmacy related industries. Students receive classroom, laboratory and practical experience covering all aspects of the profession. Included within the laboratory portions of the program is a 63-hour content-specific block of instruction dealing with the preparation of sterile intravenous products. This content-specific block, and documented experiential site sterile compounding training hours, may then be used in satisfying the New Mexico statute 61-11-11.1 training requirements for pharmacy technicians who compound sterile preparations. The Pharmacy Technician Program is accredited by ASHP/ACPE (the American Society of Health-System Pharmacists/the Accreditation Council for Pharmacy Education).

New Mexico Board of Pharmacy Registration requirements:
• 18 years old before enrolling in PT1590 Clinical Practicum
• Valid Social Security Number (SSN) for registration as a Pharmacy Technician
For additional information on New Mexico Board of Pharmacy requirements for Pharmacy Technicians, please click on the following link: http://164.64.110.239/nmac/parts/title16/16.019.0022.htm

Special Requirements

Criminal Background

Most of the health programs in HWPS require students undergo the New Mexico Department of Health caregivers criminal history screening program. This involves state and federal felony criminal background checks with fingerprints. This must be completed prior to starting their program or prior to beginning their clinical experiences. Students with a disqualifying conviction can appeal some of those convictions through the New Mexico Department of Health. Depending on the program, students may or may not be allowed to remain in the program pending appeal. Students who do not successfully appeal a disqualifying conviction will not be allowed to start or remain in the program. A successful appeal does not guarantee eligibility for licensure after graduation in professions that require licensure.

Other Compliance Requirements

Many of the health programs in HWPS require students to undergo a routine urine drug screen, provide documentation of current immunizations, have a current Healthcare Provider Basic Life Support (CPR) certificate and other training prior to beginning the program or beginning clinical education, all of which, along with the criminal background check, are verified through the Office of Verification and Compliance.

Physical Requirements

Students must be in good physical and psychological health. Students may be asked to provide documentation of a recent physical examination. Many health programs require the student to be able to safely lift and/or move a minimum of 50 pounds. Reasonable accommodations are made for students with disabilities. However, some disabilities may prohibit students from completing program specific competencies or gaining employment. Students with disabilities that may interfere with completing program competencies are advised to contact the School of Health, Wellness & Public Safety (HWPS) Office for more information.

Approximate Costs of this Educational Option

Career and Educational Opportunities

The Pharmacy Technician program typically has a high placement rate for its graduates. Jobs are available in hospitals, retail and specialty pharmacies. Graduates are eligible to take the National Certification exam for pharmacy technicians. Graduates who have taken the certification exam have consistently scored higher than the national average.

Students planning to continue their education beyond the certificate level are encouraged to take COMM 2221.